Pantographic cargo hoist

ABSTRACT

A hoist is provided wherein a clamping mechanism has four walls, each of the walls comprising a plurality of interconnecting pantographs, whereby the cross-sectional area of the clamping mechanism may be increased when the clamping mechanism is retracted to a release position. In this release position, the walls of the clamping mechanism are placed about a load to be lifted. The walls of the clamping mechanism are then extended to a clamping position decreasing the cross-sectional area, and engaging the sides of the load. The force required to lift the load is uniformly distributed over each of the sides of the load to be lifted.

atem [1 1 E111 Sttes Kelly 1] 3,856,342 [4 ]v Dec. 24, 1974 I [54] YPANTOGRAPHIC CARGO HOIST [76] Inventor: James M. Kelly, 15 Bailey Ave,

Beverly, Mass. 01915 22 Filed: May 14,1973

21 Appl. No.: 360,141

[52] US. Cl 294/67 R, 224/45'F, 294/67 B,

294/86 R, 294/113 [51] Int. Cl. B66c 1/16 [58] Field of Search 294/15, 16, 62, 63 B, 67 R, p 294/67 B, 67 BB, 67 BC, 67 D, 67 DA, 67 E,

67 EA, 74, 77, 86R, 86 CG, 106, 111, 112, 113, 118, 119; 224/45 F, 50; 24/123 F [56] I References Cited UNITED STATES- PATENTS 283,598 8/1883 Gosnell 294/112 X 767,884 8/1904 Harris et a1 224/45 F 832,343 10/1906 Scott 294/86 CG 2,311,767 2/1943 Lumbard 294/86 CG 2,432,351 12/1947 Strobl 224/50 2,705,461 4/1955 Campbell 294/77 X 2,809,860 10/1957 Arnold 294/77 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 451,276 I 10/1927 Germany 224/45 F 272,680 6/1927 Great Britain 224/45 F Primary ExaminerRichard A. Schacher Assistant Examiner-Johnny D. Cherry Attorney, Agent, or Firm Richard L. Stevens [57] ABSTRACT A hoist is provided wherein a clamping mechanism has, four walls, each of the walls comprising a plurality of interconnecting pantographs whereby the crosssectional area of the clamping mechanism may be increased when the clamping mechanism is retracted to a release position. In this release position, the walls of the clamping mechanism are placed about aload to be lifted. The walls of the clamping mechanism are then extended to a clamping position decreasing the crosssectional area, and engaging the sides of the load. The

force required to lift the load is uniformly distributed over each of the sides of the load to be lifted.

21 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTED UEC24|974 sum 1 g g PATENTEB DEC24|974 FIG; 4

FIG. 5

PATENTED D5124 I914 sum u I g PANTOGRAPHIC CARGO HOIST I BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In lifting loads such as palletized or containerized cargo by hoisting mechanisms, one method employed is to secure a lifting hook to a ring' or similar structure.

been moved, the clamping structure isretracted to its The ring is normally secured to one or more straps which engage the load to be lifted. Another method employed is'to use various clamping mechanisms which engage either the sides of the load or the bottom of the load. See, for example, US. Pat. Nos. 529,840; 2,472,262; and 3,380,602. Where a sling arrangement is employed, the forces acting on the load are concentrated. in a few localized areas on the surface of the load. Accordingly, in some instances, the load lifted is crushed or damaged at these areas of increased force. When the load is lifted from the bottom, such as by a clamp, an additional difficulty encountered is that either manual labor or an elaborate structural'mechanism is required to insure that the clamp is properly secured to the bottom of theload.

Accordingly, with the present hoisting devices, the

' forces required to lift the load act on a certain specified area of the load, or, in the case of lifting .or clamping mechanisms, additional labor and/or structures are required to insure that the load is properly clamped.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION paratus of my invention provide a liftingrnechanism .wherein a load to be liftedmay be secured in such a way that the force required to lift the load is uniformly distributed over surfaces of the load. In one embodiment of my invention, 'a retractable structure is adapted to engage substantially the entire surface of the load to .be lifted. A clamping mechanism is provided which is comprised of a plurality of interconnected parallelograms. pivotally connected such that each parallelogram functions as a pantograph. The pantographs 'may be entirely within-one wall'of the clamping mechanism,

two-dimensional, or may be bisected by an imaginery line which would define theedge of the walls of the clamping structure, that is, a three-dimensional pantograph. The walls of the clamping mechanism are structured such that when retracted to a release position, the

volume defined by the inner surface of the walls in-.

creases in cross-sectional area.' When the clamping structure is extended to a clamping position, the volumetric area or cross-sectional area is reduced and the walls of the mechanism engagethe load to be lifted in a manner such that the lifting force is uniformly distributed over the entire clamped'surfaces of the load to be lifted. v

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping mechanism comprises four substantially uniform walls, each wall having auniform number of interconnected pantographs. The walls of the clamping mechanism are adapted to reciprocate between a clamping position and a release position, wherein the volume or the cross-sectional area defined by the inner walls of the clamping mechanism decreases as the clamping mechanism moves from its release to its clamping position. In this embodiment, the pressure required to lift a load is uniformly'distributed over the four engaged surfaces of the load. When the load has sides.

mechanism having a plurality of walls, eachof said Walls including at least two sides of a pantograph, the

walls of the clamping structure including in their entirety a plurality of interconnected pantographs, at least two of said pantographs having a common corner, and means to elongate the walls to a clamping position, whereby the cross-sectional area is diminished and the walls may engage a load to be moved.

The method of my invention includes placing" a clamping mechanism about a load to be lifted, diminishing the cross-sectional area of the mechanism to engage the walls of the load in a uniform manner, lifting the loadv so engaged whereby the force required to lift the load is uniformly distributed over the engaged surfaces, and discharging the load so engaged by increasing the cross-sectional area of the clamping mechanism.

- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1(a) and (b) are isometric views of a simplified embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of one embodiment of theinvention; v

FIG. 3(a) is an isometric view ofan embodiment(s) of the invention used to secure the bar members in a movable manner, and FIG. 3(b) is a ternative embodiment of FIG. 3(a);

FIG. 4 is an isometric view showing. the preferred embodiment. of the invention; Y

FIGS. 5 (a), (b), and (c) are schematic illustrations showing the operation of the invention; Y

FIG. 6 is a schematic showing an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein only two sides are'pantographic;

FIG. 7 is a schematic showing a further alternative embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS.'8(a) and 8(b) are schematic illustrations of an embodiment of the invention including a plurality of DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT I In FIG. 1(a) is shown in isometric form and in open configuration a simplified embodiment of the invention with the clamping mechanism shown as 10, andwhich includesfour walls, a front wall 12, a right wall 14, a

back wall 16, anda left wall 18. The walls are comprised of slat-like or bar members20 and 22, 24 and 26, 28 and 30, and 32 and 34, respectively. Each set of members is pivotally connected at thecenter, such as by a pin, and forms two sides of a three-dimensional pantograph. The members 20 and 22,and 24 and 26 form a pantograph ABCD. In the structure as shown,

there are four three-dimensional, interconnected pantographs, each connected set of pantographs havinga common comer. The corners which arecommon to the sides of the pantograph which form each part of the wall and are at right angles are hinged to one another, such as shown in theexploded view. Of course, ball and socket joints, tongue and groove configurations, or any structure which will allow the requisite flexibility may be used. Lift bars 36 are pivotally hinged to the upper corners of the bar members, such'as by the confrgura-- tion shown, and to ring member 38. The ring may be plan view of an alv beam (not shown) or secured to any conventional lifting mechanism'as desired. In the operation of this si mplified embodiment .of the invention, the clamping mechanism may be placed manually over the load to be lifted. The ring is then moved upwardly, decreasing the cross-sectional area defined by the walls of the clamping mechanism 10. The walls of the mechanism will engage the surfaces of the load to be lifted, uniformly distributing the lifting force over the engaged surfaces. The load is lifted by the upward movement of the entire assembly. It should be noted that the lift bars 36 are not fixed in a rigid position. This is to insure that the walls may move laterally to accommodate the change in cross-sectional area of the clamping mechanism when it is moved between its release and clamping positions.

In FIG. 1(b), the clamping mechanism 10 is shown in folded configuration, i.e., lying flat. This is achieved by havingthe length of the lift bars 36 less than the length of the bar members. In this'particular embodiment, the

ratio of the length of the lift bar to the bar member is approximately 12 V 2.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 2, where a clamping mechanism 40, similar to that shown in FIG. 1, comprises bar members 42; lift bars44, and ring member 46. The lift bars are pivotally secured to the ring member 46. Arms 48 are pivotally secured at the upper ends to the bar members 42 and the lift bars 44. The arm 48 is characterized by an outer groove or channel 50 therein, and terminates in a fluke or tooth 52. The tooth 52 is shown as being an integral part of the arm, but preferably the tooth is removable so that teeth of different sizes and shapes may beinterchanged. The lower corners of the members 42 are received in a slideable manner in the channel 50, such as in a tongue and groove arrangement. This embodiment finds applicability in replacing clam shovels, etc., used in construction, such as in demolition work. To facilitate the moving of the clamping mechanism between its release and clamping positions, cables 54 are pivotally secured to the upper portions of the arms 48. The caa plurality of interconnecting bars 64, each alternating topmost bar 64 secured at the top thereof to lift bars 72 (one such securement is shown in FIG. 3(a), which lift bars in turn are pivotally secured to the hook arrangement 78. Cables 76 are secured to the lower ends of the corners of at least two of the lowermost bars 64 and operate independently of the ring assembly 78 to withdraw the mechanism 70 to its release position. As shown inFIG. 4, the individual pantographs are now of two types, those which are solely two-dimensional and lie entirely within the plane of one wall, such as EFGH,

and those three-dimensional pantographs, suchv as IJKL. Each succeeding set of two-dimensional pantographs has two common sides and one common corner.

The three-dimensional pantographs in this preferred 4 embodiment also have the same characteristics. In the operation of the preferred embodiment of the invention, referring to FIG. 5(a), the mechanism 70 in its release position is placed about a load to be lifted.

The cables 76 are then slackened, and force such as by a crane hook (not shown) is applied lifting upwardly the ring assembly 78. As this ring assembly moves upwardly, the cross-sectional area of the pantograph diminishes, whereby the load isengaged by the inner surfaces of each of the pantographsand the mechanism is in its clamping position. The load is lifted or moved and bles are adapted to be actuated independently of the a cable 47 to which the ring 46 is attached and functions and the cables may be secured at any position on the 4 arms, such as a lower position.

FIG. 3(a) is an isometric view of a channel and bearing arrangement usedv in the preferred embodiment, FIG. 4, of the invention. A pin 62 passes through the end of each of bar members 64 and has a ball bearing 66 secured at the other end thereof. Bearing 66 is received in a channel 68 which is secured to an angle iron 70. The lower portions of the lift bars 72 are pinned to the top portions of four alternating bar members 64 which are received in channel 68. If desired, the lift bars 72 may be pinned to all eight tops of the bar members 64 rather than to the four alternating members. The top and bottom of the channels 68 are capped or plugged to prevent the iron 70 from sliding off.

FIG. 4 shows a pantograph of the preferred embodiment including clamping mechanism 70 comprised of the force acting on the load is uniformly distributed over the engaged walls of the load, FIG. 5(b). When the load has been moved, this process is simply reversed; namely, the entire assembly is moved and the load placed where desired. The force lifting the r'ing'assembly 78 is released, allowing the pantograph to collapse about the load. However, if the pantograph does not collapse of its own weight, and to insure remov'ability, an upward force is applied to cables 76, such as by g a crane hook, to draw the pantograph into its release position, increasing the cross-sectional area of the mechanism 70. The entire assembly is then moved upwardly from the load, FIG. 5(c). This also eliminates manuallabor and insures its removability by providing this mechanism to lift the entire structure in its released position For some types of cargo to be lifted, it may be more desirable to apply a uniform distribution of force only to the corners of the cargo. In'FIG. 3(b) is shown a plane view of a reversed structure arrangement of FIG.

3(a). In this embodiment also, inner surfaces thereof may. be linedwith a material which would provide an adhesive engagement with the corners of the load to be lifted. This adhesive material, such as a rubber-like material, would also provide additional cushioning as desired. Further, this outer channel arrangement may be used for the embodiment of FIG. 2.

Depending on the nature of the load being lifted, the

inner surfaces of the angle iron or the bar members may be shaped to provide a biting or tooth-like engaging action on the engaged surfaces of the load to be lifted, such as a sawtooth configuration. Also, the engaged surfaces of the load may be structured to provide mating engagement with the shaped inner surfaces.

Referring to FIG. 6, a schematic illustration is shown of a two-sided clamping mechanism 80. The mechanism 80 comprises a plurality of bar members 82 which function in a manner as described for the other embodiments. At either end thereof are panel members 84 which may or may not be movable. This embodiment has particular application, wherein specialized sizes of UNPACKING MACHINES Inventor: Friedhelm Muller,

Dortmund-Wickede, Germany [73] Assignee: Holstein & Kappert Maschinenfabrik Phonix GmhH, Dortmund, Germany 22 Filed: Dec. 6, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 312,732

[52] US. Cl 294/99 R, 294/63 A, 294/90 [51] Int. Cl. B66c 1/46 [58] Field of Search 294/63 A, 64 R, 65, 87, ,294/90, 93, 99 R; 53/95,v 247, 307, 367; 214/1 BS, 1 ET, 1 BH, 1 BV, 6-FS, 8.5 D, 309

- [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,308,209 1/1943 Schmutzer et 211...... 294/65 2,607,620 8/1952 Oliveri 294/64 R 2,873,996 ,2/1959 McHugh 294/64 R 2,929,653 3/1960 Hund et al. 294/64 R 3,171,681 3/1965 Rollen. 294/90 X limited States Patent 1 [111 3,856,343 Muller Dec.24, 1974 1 4] BOTTLE GRIPPER FOR PACKING m Primary Examiner-Richard A. Schacher Assistant Examiner-Johnny D. Cherry Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Toren, McGeady and Stanger [57] ABSTRACT A bottle gripper for packing and unpacking machines is formed of an upwardly extending double collar'ineluding an inner elastic wall and an outer elastic wall spaced radially outwardly from the inner wall with the two walls connected together at their lower ends. The

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 

1. A hoisting apparatus which comprises in combination: a clamping mechanism having a plurality of uniformly dimensioned planar walls, each of said planar walls including at least two sides of a pantograph, the entire clamping mechanism including a plurality of interconnected pantographs, at least two of said pantographs having a common corner, the pantographs each comprised of members pivotally connected such that the movement of any one of the members of any pantograph will effect a corresponding movement in all of the members of all of the other pantographs of the clamping mechanism defining the sides, and means to retract all of the planar walls of the structure to a release position, whereby the cross-sectional area defined by the planar walls is uniformly increased and to elongate the planar walls to a clamping position, whereby the crosssectional area is uniformly diminished, and the walls may engage a load to be moved.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, which includes four walls.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of said walls includes a plurality of interconnected pantographs on each wall, each succeeding set of pantographs having a common corner and two common sides.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, which includes means to secure slideably the corners, whereby dimensional stability is imparted to the clamping mechanism.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the means to secure slideably the corners of said walls includes arm-like members.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the arm-like members include a channel adapted to receive the corners of the pantographs.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein pantographs are defined by a plurality of bar-like members, pivotally connected at their centers.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means to retract and elongate the walls of the clamping mechanism includes lift bars pivotally connected to the walls of the mechanism.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means to retract and elongate the walls between its release and clamping position includes means to withdraw the clamping mechanism to its release position.
 10. A hoisting apparatus which comprises in combination: a clamping mechanism having a pluRality of walls, each of said walls including at least two sides of a pantograph, the entire clamping mechanism including a plurality of interconnected pantographs, each succeeding set of pantographs having a common corner and two common sides, the pantographs each comprised of members pivotally connected such that the movement of any one of the members of any pantograph will effect a corresponding movement in all of the members of all of the other pantographs of the clamping mechanism defining the sides; means to secure slideably the corners of the mechanism, whereby dimensional stability is imparted to the clamping mechanism; and means to retract all of the walls of the structure to a release position whereby the cross-sectional area defined by the walls is uniformly increased and to elongate the wall to a clamping position whereby the cross-sectional area is uniformly diminished and the walls may engage the load to be moved.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the means to secure slideably the corners includes a channel-like structure adapted to receive the corners.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, which includes four walls.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the walls of the mechanism are circularly configured.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein expandible cushioning means are disposed on the inner surface of the clamping mechanism.
 15. A hoisting apparatus which comprises in combination: a clamping mechanism having a plurality of walls, each of said walls including at least two sides of a pantograph, the entire clamping mechanism including a plurality of interconnected pantographs, each succeeding set of pantographs having a common corner and two common sides, the pantographs each comprised of members pivotally connected at their ends one to the other, such that the movement of any one of the members of any pantograph will effect a corresponding movement in all of the members of all of the other pantographs of the clamping mechanism defining the sides, and means to retract all of the walls of the structure to a release position, whereby the cross-sectional area defined by the walls is uniformly increased and to elongate the walls to a clamping position, whereby the cross-sectional area is uniformly diminished, and the walls may engage the load to be moved.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, which includes means to secure slideably the corners of said walls.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus includes four walls.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the walls are planar and uniformly dimensioned.
 19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the walls of the mechanism are circularly configured.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein expandible cushioning means are disposed on the inner surface of the clamping mechanism.
 21. A method of hoisting cargo which includes: placing a clamping mechanism having a plurality of uniformly dimensioned planar walls, each of said planar walls having a plurality of interconnected pantographs, each of said succeeding pantographs having a common corner and two common sides, the members comprising the pantographs each pivotally connected such that the movement of any one of the members of any pantograph will effect a corresponding movement in all of the members of all of the other pantographs, about a load to be lifted; diminishing uniformly the cross-sectional area of the walls of the structure; engaging the walls of the load to be lifted and distributing the force required to lift the load uniformly over the sides of the load to be lifted; and lifting the load while so engaged. 